Con. Council mum, alleges civil activist

May 30 (Island) In spite of Center for Human Rights and Research (SL) recently complaining to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional Council regarding high profile CEB campaign against Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), the powerful CEB Engineers’ Union launched a fresh poster campaign against it over the last week. Engineers’ Union displayed posters in Colombo and its suburbs
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Aloysius never offered us money: Hadunnetti

May 30 (DM) JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti said Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., owner Arjun Aloysius had never offered any money to JVP MPs and pointed out that Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake was trying to prove his innocence by even involving our members. He said that the JVP MPs were not engaged in corrupt politics or deals and that money or other inducements could not buy them over. “If Aloysius wanted to buy us, we are the ones who may have been sold for the highest price
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54 monitoring MPs get Rs 200,000 a month

May 30 (CT) Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Affairs said the Govt was never into paying any stipend for MPs who work for the Govt, adding that a monthly sum of Rs 200,000 was being paid to 54 MPs who carry out monitoring activities of their respective Ministries. When contacted, a source from the said Ministry, added that this sum had been paid to the MPs during the past two years, as well. He added it was being paid to a list of MPs which had been sent to the Ministry concerned,
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‘A’ status for human rights commission of SL

May 30 (DN) Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has been re-accredited with ‘A’ status by Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in recognition of its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama said. GANHRI promotes and strengthens National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to be in accordance with the Paris Principles and
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'Hold PC elections soon'

May 30 (DN) Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said he has written to political party leaders including Prez, PM and Speaker requesting them to conduct the provincial council elections as early as possible. He said he would write to Opposition Leader and party representatives participating at meetings convened by the EC. Although the terms of office of the Sabaragamuwa, North-Central and Eastern Provincial Councils lapsed yesterday, elections were postponed,
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Champika’s stance on 20A is no concern of ours: JVP

May 30 (DM) JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti said they were not concerned about Minister Champika Ranawaka’s stance on the 20th Amendment because his stance from the beginning had been to retain the executive presidency. He said that they respected Mr. Ranawaka for revealing his stance clearly on the executive presidency and added that it was pointless talking to him on the matter. “He is someone who supports the executive presidency. He is the only one who opposed the 17th
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Payments to MPs: Austin promises to inquire into Dayasiri’s allegation

May 30 (Island) Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando said that he would find out whether the Presidential Secretariat had the list of names of 118 MPs who had taken money from the Perpetual Treasuries. Responding to a query whether the Presidential Secretariat had the full report of the PCoI on the bond scam which contains the names of 118 MPs who had taken money from the Perpetual Treasuries as alleged by
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Has SL given up its battle against plastic?

May 30 (DM) While we Sri Lankans still continue to postpone the date of the plastic ban, National Geographic magazine’s June cover continues to inspire millions across the globe to think more seriously of a permanent plastic ban in each and every country. Hailed by environmentalists and the social media, the beautiful cover features a photo-illustration of a plastic bag partly sunken in the ocean, indicating the plastic pollution problem is only the tip of the iceberg.
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PTL’s Rs.1 mn soils Dayasiri’s hands

May 30 (DM) Former sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has run into a storm of controversy after it was revealed in court last week that he accepted a cash cheque of Rs.1 million from a company linked to Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. (PTL), which is implicated in the Central Bank bond scam. He admitted that he had received the money and that it was meant to be used for his campaign at the 2015 general election. Dayasiri, who was one of the 16 MPs to quit the govt recently after voting
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‘GMOA doesn’t have the backbone to question Gotabaya’

May 30 (DM) Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya of the National Movement for Social Justice spoke about the questionable activities of the GMOA as a trade union, President Sirisena not honouring his promise to abolish the Executive Presidency and his movement’s intention not to support a common candidate at a future election in an interview with the Daily Mirror. Q: GMOA has leveled a strong criticism against Purawesi Balaya.
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May 30 (ST) The contractor tasked with building the new Kaduwela-Biyagama bridge has repeatedly ignored orders from the Irrigation Department to remove a temporary jetty that now threatens to impede the flow of the Kelaniya River which is swelling with incessant rains. The Irrigation Department has issued several directives to KD Ebert & Sons Holdings to take down at least 20m of a jetty that was installed months ago to
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Democracy or Hypocrisy?

May 30 (DM) Since our forefathers, the founding fathers of democracy passed on, the country has been gradually reduced to a state of hypocrisy!!! The system of being a democracy favouring social equality has been systematically eroded!!! With the onset of the Eelam War, the system of democracy that we cherished was torn apart!!! With that came a terrible fear psychosis; no one was safe, yet life went on!!! For over three decades,
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'SLC to come under Bribery Act'

May 30 (SL) CIABOC Director General Sarath Jayamanne, said that the Bribery Act would be amended to include match fixing as a punishable offense. He said that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would come under the Bribery Act. The official said that the SLC hadn’t been brought under Bribery Act as it was a private entity and the cricketers were not considered state employees. Jayamanne said amendments would be introduced to
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Sri Lanka's tourist hotspot awareness driven online: survey

May 30 (EN) Mirissa, a tourist hotspot in southern SL that came into prominence with whale watching over the last decade, is getting visitors mostly from positive online and personal recommendations, a survey has found. Mirissa was in the spotlight recently after tourists were harassed by staff at an unauthorized beach restaurant called Water Creatures. Several unauthorised structures on the beach were then demolished by
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President inquire into measures taken to contain influenza spreading in South

May 30 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the medical officials to strengthen the mechanism for the containment of this influenza without making funds an issue. He visited the Health Ministry, today (28) and inquired about the measures taken by the Health Ministry to contain the influenza which is spreading in Southern Province. He also inquired about the programme being implemented by the Ministry to provide
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May 30 (Island) Transparency International Sri Labka (TISL) has faulted political leadership for failing to take remedial measures to prevent corruption involving politicians and those who make financial donations. Following is the text of the statement issued by TISL: "In the aftermath of the revelations about Dayasiri Jayasekera MP receiving money from a company controlled by Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius,
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US report notes attacks on religious minorities in Sri Lanka continued

May 30 (SL) The annual report on religious freedom, released by the US State Department has noted that attacks on religious minorities continued unabated in 2017 from the previous year. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback released the International Religious Freedom Report for 2017 at the US State Department yesterday (Tuesday).
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CID to look into railway property damages

May 30 (AD) The Railway Department has registered a complaint with the CID that the railway workers on strike have caused damages train engines and compartments, Additional General Manager (Operations) Vijaya Samarasinghe said. The 48-hour token strike launched yesterday by the railway technical service staff is currently ongoing. Chairman of the committee Sampath Rajitha stated that
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'Cricket corruption goes right to the top'

May 30 (AFP) World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said corruption goes right to the top in Sri Lanka and accused the ICC of undermining the game by failing to tackle match-fixing. Ranatunga, now a govt minister, said cricket corruption in Sri Lanka went far beyond the claims made in an Al Jazeera documentary which aired on Sunday. Ranatunga said the allegations must be investigated,
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SLFP 16: Stuck between a rock and a hard place

May 30 (CT) Recently the group of 16 SLFP MPs, who dissented from the Govt, announced that they will file a Right to Information (RTI) request with the Presidential Secretariat this week, seeking names of the MPs who allegedly received money from the owner of the primary dealing Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Arjun Aloysius, at a time when there was an ongoing COPE probe into the CB Treasury Bonds scam. UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who received a million rupees
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Police officer arrested over harassment of minor

May 30 (DN) A Police officer who was serving as a telephone operator at the Welioya Police Station has been arrested and was produced before the Kebithigollewa Magistrate Court yesterday in connection with the case of a 12-year-old boy who was sexually abused while in remand custody. The boy who was arrested on the charges of pilfering roofing sheets was kept in remand custody at the Welioya Police Station when the incident occurred. The child had told officials at
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මානසික රෝගී දේශපාලනඥයෝ: අනෝජා වීරසිංහ

Media rights groups silent on assault of Kalai Kathir journalist

May 30 (CT) Although there are a dozen or so organizations that have mandated themselves to advocate and fight for freedom of expression, media rights and the safety of media personnel, only the Tamil Media Alliance has expressed outrage at the assault of Kalai Kathir journalist Selvarasa Rajendran in the early hours of Monday (28th). Rajendran was assaulted by a gang of ten near the Jaffna Bus Stand and is currently in hospital obtaining treatment for injuries sustained
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An open letter to the PM of Singapore

May 30 (FT) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in force from March 1976 (Part II Article 15.2) of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ states as follows: “Nothing in this article shall prejudice the trial and punishment of any person for any act or omission which, at the time when it was committed, was criminal according to the general principles of law recognised by the community of nations”. Your Excellency, We are writing to you today as
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Appeal Court postpones SLC election

May 30 (AD) The Court of Appeal today issued a stay order preventing the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) election from being held until June 14. The election was scheduled to be held tomorrow (May 31). On May 28, a petition was filed with the court seeking an injunction order preventing the incumbent President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala from contesting the election for the Presidency of the country’s cricket governing body.
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Man hacks infant son to death, injures wife and her parents before committing suicide

May 30 (AD) A man has reportedly committed suicide after hacking to death his 6-month-old child and injuring three others including his wife, her mother and father in a brutal attack carried out using a cleaver at Ihala Kadigamuwa, Bingiriya. Police said that the incident had occurred at around 1.35pm today. The six-month-old son, the 24-year-old wife, her 42-year-old mother and 62-year-old father were rushed to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital in critical condition.
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SLPP councillor’s killing: Police question Kudu Anju’s associates

May 30 (DM) Mount Lavinia police have recorded statements from several close associates of Sinhara Amal Silva alias Kudu Anju in connection with the killing of SLPP Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor Ranjan de Silva. A high ranking police officer said the detectives are conducting inquiries on new leads. He said Sinhara Amal Silva alias Kudu Anju is currently living in Dubai and operating his heroin business from there with the support of his close associates.
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Unions protest procedure to deal with abusive teachers

May 30 (CT) Teachers unions claimed that, incidents of teachers abusing children were prevalent in popular schools, but added that it was dealt with by mere transfers made in contravention of the national transfer policy, sans the knowledge of the transfer boards and, with the connivance of the school and the Ministry of Education authorities. The Ceylon Teachers Union pointed out that, service requirements were
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Sri Lanka hydro power generation up in 2018 amid demand growth

May 30 (EN) Sri Lanka hydro's power generation has bounced back in 2018 with rains returning amid a double digit pick up in overall demand. Total power generation rose 10% from a year earlier to 2,480 GigaWatt hours in the first two months of 2019, with February generation up 11%, data shows. In 2017 power generation only grew 0.3% in the first two months. Hydro power generation at state-run CEB has soared 93% to 443 GigaWatt hours, in the first two months of the year.
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Chamari ruled out of Asia Cup with dengue

May 30 (CI) SL women's captain Chamari Atapattu and teammate Ama Kanchana have been ruled of the Asia Cup T20 starting June 3 in Kuala Lumpur because of dengue. Shashikala Siriwardane, who relinquished captaincy in 2014, will step in to lead after SLC opted against promoting designated vice-captain Hasini Perera to the role. Harshitha Madavi, the 19-year old allrounder, and veteran spinner Inoka Ranaweera have been drafted in following the late withdrawals - among five changes
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'Powerful 16 MPs taken money from PTL'

May 30 (DM) Some powerful 16 MPs from both the Govt and the Opposition accepted money from the Perceptual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius, Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon alleged. He said the 16 MPs had obtained money on separate occasions via crossed Cheques and cash cheques. “Allegations have been levelled at different politicians over taking money from the PTL.
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NP Education Minister refuses summon issued by TID

May 30 (DN) N​orthern Province Minister of Education Dr K Sarveswaran refused to accept summon issued by the Police Terrorism Investigations Department (TID), today to appear before the TID on June 5th to record a statement. Sarveswaran said that he refused to accept the summons because his name was addressed wrong on the notification and the reason for his summon was also not mentioned clearly. The letter wrongly addressed Education Minister Sarveswaren’s
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Sadaham Yathra for Adi-Poson Full Moon Poya Day with President’s participation

May 30 (PSL) The Dhamma Sermon for Adi-Poson Full Moon Poya Day of the series of Sadaham Yathra Damma Sermon was held at the Paramartha Dharmakara Piriven Viharasthanaya, Pethiyagoda, Kelaniya today (29) with participation of President Maithripala Sirisena. The Dhamma sermon was delivered by the Ven. Korathota Wessabu Thero. President who arrived at the temple first engaged in religious activities. He also looked into well- being of Ven. Dompe Indrasiri Nayaka Thero.
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New Colombo map to be released tomorrow

May 30 (DM) The latest and updated map of Colombo, which consists an additional two square kilometre land of the Colombo Port City, would be unveiled tomorrow. Surveyor General P.M.P. Udayakantha said a digital version of the map would be released today, while the printed version would be available within two weeks. Colombo Port City would add an additional land of 2.67 km2 when the project was completed.
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Probe match-fixing allegations: Sajith

May 30 (NR) Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa says an independent investigation needs to be conducted regarding the documentary by Al Jazeera pertaining to allegations of match-fixing. Speaking at an event held in Battaramulla, Minister Premadasa said Sri Lanka has faced a lot of adversity due to the allegations. Minister noted the allegations need to be investigated by an independent and unbiased team in order to confirm that such corrupt acts actually took place in the country.
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Three including associate of Makandure Madush nabbed with heroin

May 30 (AD) Police have arrested three suspects along with heroin in Labuduwa, Galle while one of the men is said to be an associate of notorious underworld kingpin Madush Lakshitha alias Makandure Madush. Three suspects were arrested for the possession of 10 grams of heroin following a special operation carried last night by Akmeemana Police. One of the arrested suspects, Pradeep Tharanga, 38, a resident of Hapugala, is an associate of Makandure Madush,
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Video: JO urges Speaker to change COPE composition

May 30 (DM) The JO urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to change the composition of the Committee on COPE by removing the COPE members, who had received funds from Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL). Professor G.L. Peiris said the COPE could be the last resort of taking action against former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran and therefore, its members should be independent. “COPE has all the authority to unveil the truth
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UNFPA looks to break stigma in Sri Lanka on menstruation

May 30 (SL) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is looking to break the stigma in SL on menstruation. Menstruation, colloquially known as periods, is a normal biological process. However, it remains a globally stigmatized issue, and many are reluctant to speak up about it. As a result the world comes together on 28 May, every year, to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day – to raise awareness on the challenges women and girls face due to menstruation, and to highlight solutions to
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Two underground mega drains to control floods in Colombo

May 30 (DM) Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is set to invest RS. 5,800 million in a mega flood control project in Colombo. The project, highest investment to be made since the Dutch era, was taken up by the China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. The company will construct two mega underground storm water tunnels for the city. The 750 meter-long, 3 meter wide first tunnel will be constructed parallel to Mutwal tunnel that will carry the additional water flow in
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US help vital to control drugs smuggling: MS

May 30 (NR) Prez Sirisena says the cooperation of the United States Security forces is important to control the ways that narcotics are smuggled into the country. Speaking during a meeting with a US Congress delegation from the House Armed Services Committee at the President’s official residence, Head of State said the cooperation between the two countries is of utmost importance for this purpose.
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